Report and Analysis of Visitor Questionnaire

Poppit and High Street Car Park

St Dogmaels

Pembrokeshire

St Dogmaels Community Council

October 2019

Table of contents

1. Introduction ................................................................................................... 1

2. Actions............................................................................................................ 2

3. Results – Visitor’s Questionnaire ..................................................................... 4

4. Conclusions .................................................................................................... 6

Appendix A Visitor Survey ................................................................................... 7

Appendix B Sample comments ............................................................................ 8

Appendix C Letters of support for retention of Poppit ........................................ 11

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1. Introduction

In September 2018, the Community Council (CC) presented a report to Pembrokeshire County Council, after escalating complaints received by the Community Council about the lack of baby changing facilities and the poor conditions in the lady’s block at Poppit sands, Pembrokeshire. It requested that a site meeting take place as soon as possible. The building also provided the headquarters for the local Surf Lifesavers Club.1 The toilet block sited on a beach with Blue Flag status2 In an SSSI3 within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (PNCP), is managed by Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) under a management contract with Danfo.

External view of toilet block showing poor condition (S Davies, 2019)

An initial series of communications with Pembrokeshire County Council concluded that it had no intention of addressing the problems and expected the Community Council to undertake the task for which an asset transfer or lease to the CC would be required. The CC response was that it had neither the capacity or experience to take on such a project. The PCC advised, in April 2019, that it had decided, in July 2018, to withdraw funding from a number of public toilets in the County and this would include the toilet blocks at Poppit (approx annual revenue costs £16k) and the village car park (approx annual revenue costs £5k). The potential loss of the Blue Flag status at Poppit and the probable impact on the dunes in the SSSI being used as a latrine (as there would be no public toilets within approximately 3.5 miles should both blocks close) appeared to be of no concern to PCC and PCNP. The potential impact on tourism both locally and in the wider area was also dismissed by them. It was St Dogmaels Community Councils opinion that the impact on the economic and local wellbeing in terms of residents’ use and local businesses would be high.

1 Poppit Surf Lifesavers Club is a voluntary organisation that trains young people to enable them to take part in beach sports and competitions. Many of the young people go on to become trained lifeguards and some members of the Cardigan Lifeboat crew. 2 Blue Flag status is a worldwide recognised award being given based on a beach meeting and maintaining environmental, safety, accessibility and educational standards (Blue Flag, 2014). 3 SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) is a habitat, protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act and the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, due to its wildlife and or geology.

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The poor condition of the inside of the block and public water tap (S Davies, 2019)

According to a report to the National Assembly for Wales, Wales has some of the UK's most tourism-dependent local authorities, including Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy & Denbighshire, Powys, and South-West Wales (Pritchard, A., 2016)4. This view is reflected in documents available from PCC and PCNP. Further research supported the importance of public perception of infrastructure at a tourist destination. Haneef (2017)5, reports that 'infrastructure …plays a distinctive role in the development of this ever-expanding [tourism] industry. The decision-making process concerning tourism destination selection is strictly related to the availability of tourism infrastructure – attractions, accommodation, accessibility and amenities.’. It was recognised that the Community Council’s response could be key in retaining toilet provision, and a working party was set up to research and inform this response. Whilst it is now understood that Pembrokeshire County Council might be reviewing its position of the closure of the Poppit block the Community Council felt it was essential to continue to provide evidence of need.

2. Actions

St Dogmaels Community Council produced a questionnaire for visitors to the area (Appendix A) with regard to use of the two toilet blocks and opinion on the loss of said toilet blocks to visitor’s future intention to return to the area. The questionnaires were deposited, from 19th August 2019 until Sunday 29th September at: The Coach House, St Dogmaels The Post Office, St Dogmaels RNLI shop, Poppit Café, Poppit Poppit Sands Cardigan Bay Holiday Park Available online at http://stdogmaels.org/toilet-blocks-questionnaire/

4 Pritchard, A., 2016. Selling Wales to the world [online]. Available at: http://senedd.assembly.wales/documents/s65558/06%20Professor%20Annette%20Pritchard.pdf 5 Haneef, S K, 2017. A model to explore tourist infrastructure on destination image for effective tourism marketing. Ph D University of Salford. Available at: https://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/42201/1/PhD%20Thesis%20-%20Sunitha.pdf

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As a control measure names and addresses of respondents were collected but will not be released to third parties. Mileage travelled was used, in conjunction with address details, to exclude any immediately local residents (residents in St Dogmaels Ward have been issued with a separate survey).

The information was collated onto a series of spreadsheets and that data was analysed.

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3. Results – Visitor’s Questionnaire

Visitors Questionnaire Analysis for the Public Toilets at Poppit Sands and St Dogmaels Car Park

Questionnaires identified as having been completed by St Dogmaels’ residents were excluded from this

analysis

3.1 Poppit Sands

Of the total 1372 visitors accounted for in the returned Questionnaires, there was an average of 3.6

people for each visit per party.

Number of questionnaires returned as of 30/9/2019 = 390

a) Gender and age analysis.

Age Group Years

Number of People Percentage of Total

Percentage Male

Percentage Female

Under 2 28 2% No Gender Requested

No Gender Requested

2-12 197 14% 56% 44%

12-17 127 9% 55% 45%

17-45 289 21% 42% 58%

45-64 446 33% 42% 58%

65+ 285 21% 48% 52%

b) Visitors by Home Region.

Region Percentage

Unknown 11%

Pembrokeshire 6%

Other UK 82%

Overseas 1%

c) Disabled Requirements.

28% of respondents said that they had a requirement for disabled facilities for their party

d) Would visit if Poppit toilets were closed?

Answer Number Percentage

Unsure 23 6%

Yes 87 22%

No 280 72%

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e) Respondents answer to Toilet Charging

Response Number Percentage

Unsure 9 2%

Would Not Pay 33 9%

Would Pay 348 89%

Of the 390 questionnaires processed as at 30/9/2019, 345 respondents stated they would pay and

indicated an amount they were willing to pay which showed an average of £0.27

3.2. St Dogmaels Car Park

Of the total 659 visitors accounted for in the returned Questionnaires, there was an average of 3.4

people for each visit per party.

Number of questionnaires returned as of 30/9/2019 = 189

b) Gender and age analysis.

Age Group Years

Number of People Percentage of Total

Percentage Male

Percentage Female

Under 2 6 1% No Gender Requested

No Gender Requested

2-12 87 13% 59% 41%

12-17 67 10% 57% 43%

17-45 121 18% 42% 58%

45-64 229 35% 45% 55%

65+ 149 23% 44% 56%

b) Visitors by Home Region.

Region Percentage

Unknown 5%

Pembrokeshire 7%

Other UK 87%

Overseas 1%

C) Disabled Requirements.

27% of respondents said that they had a requirement for disabled facilities for their party

d) Would visit if St Dogmaels toilets were closed?

Answer Number Percentage

Unsure 5 3%

Yes 65 34%

No 119 63%

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e) Respondents answer to Toilet Charging

Response Number Percentage

Unsure 2 1%

Would Not Pay 15 8%

Would Pay 172 91%

Of the 189 questionnaires returned as at 30/9/2019 172 respondents stated they would pay and

indicated an amount they were willing to pay which showed an average of £0.26

Data analysis – Cllr Mike Kendall, 6/10/2019

4. Conclusions

Whilst the survey took place over a relatively short period of time, with peak visitor numbers during

the survey period expected to be within the timeframe 19/8/19 to 30/8/19, with a seasonal decline

during the weeks in September, the key factor emerging from the exercise is the number of visitors

who would not return to Poppit or St Dogmaels should the toilet blocks be closed.

There was no visitor support for closure indicated in any response.

St Dogmaels Community Council maintains its’ concerns with regard to the potential impact on the

tourist industry should toilet provision be lost at these locations.

Given the use of both facilities by visitors and a clear indication of an impact on the tourist industry

should the blocks close, the Community Council does not believe that the costs associated with

retaining and running them should fall upon a small community. The costs should be covered by

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and Pembrokeshire County Council to the benefit of

the wider economy.

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Annex A – Visitor Questionnaire

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Appendix B – Sample comments from Questionnaire My daughter suffers from Crone’s disease and she wouldn’t be able to visit Poppit or St Dogmaels if there were no toilets (Market Day 27/8/2019) Public facilities are essential for small communities to continue to attract visitors and therefore enhance local economy. My elderly mother likes to visit Cardigan and beach – would be unable to if no toilet at Poppit. Would not be able to bring my mother, who has wheelchair, to beach You need toilets because if none available then children and maybe adults will be dunes or behind buildings. Due to medical problems it would be impossible to visit Poppit Sands or St Dogmaels I couldn’t speak to you colleague at the car park as I was desperate for the loo. I have to go a lot and public toilets are vital as I am pregnant. ( Market day 27/8/2019). Public toilets make beaches and tourist attractions much more accessible with children. It is essential to provide the toilets if tourism is to be encouraged. It would be a complete disaster if they were closed. Would really negatively affect the region. If a reasonable fee was asked for anyone would use them. My Husband is disabled & always needs a toilet and now that I am getting on I too need this facility. As you charge for the car parks why don’t you fund them from that money. Please leave the toilets open. No toilets spoils the day out. Woman are particularly disadvantaged. If you remove toilets at Poppit you will have everyone using the Dunes which will destroy the area and this is an SSSI accredited area. These toilets must be kept, especially at Poppit where there are no other facilities available for visitors. If people need toilet facilities on Poppit, they will use the sand dunes. A health hazard and will ruin the SSSI & ecosystem as well as ruin the reputation of an excellent beach. Rely on toilet for wheelchair bound husband. Without disabled toilets I could not visit with my sister who is disabled. This cuts off all access many disabled people have at poppit sands and puts a lot of pressure on the café We have a baby/toddler we need a toilet

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They are a much needed facility for those with young children & those with medical problems that need toilet regularly Without public toilet facilities local business would be affected as toilet facilities are essential . In addition young children and disabled people are being discriminated Toilet/baby change are essential for us to visit a location We have elderly/Cancer services etc and we use Poppit because it’s accessible. We need toilets to come. Why can’t you use holiday home council tax? I have to use the toilet frequently (due to issues in childbirth) and really appreciate them being there. My daughter is a wheelchair user – we come here for beach wheelchair and need accessible toilets. As a sufferer of ulcerative colitis a toilet is vital for me. The toilets make the beach attractive to lots of visitors who spend money which benefits Pembrokeshire. It is stupidly short sighted to close them as it does not make business sense. No tourists(or the majority of locals) will come to Poppit if there aren’t any toilets, which will affect the economy. I feel it will also create a health & safety concern. Please do not close the toilets. This is one of the most ludicrous ideas I have ever seen. It is a public health hazard in the making. No toilet = No Visit We do not drive so toilets at our destination are vital, especially as we have a small child [Haverfordwest} I visit Poppit regularly to walk my dog. As a widow living on my own it gives me much needed exercise, community spirit, fresh air and gets me out of the house. I have a very weak bladder and need access to toilet facilities when I am out and about. If these toilets were to close I would not be able to visit anymore. If the toilets were closed a great many people would urinate or defecate in the sand dunes as the nearest toilet would be about 3 miles away. It is madness to consider closing these facilities to turn the area into a stinking sewer. When considering the amount of revenue visitors contribute to the area it is sheer folly to consider removing the existing facilities. The Council are complete out of touch with the community and need to rethink their policies. It’s very important to have toilets for young families and women The coastal path is covered in toilet paper so will the beach be if no loos Given that Poppit Sands is so far from any other toilets facilities and that the sands are a protected area there is no way a family will be able to visit Poppit. Elderly and disabled people, and the very young will be discriminated against. Few people will visit so any revenue will be seriously diminished!

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We pay enough council tax etc so toilets should be free, losing them will kill off tourism in the area If you wish to encourage tourism then you need to provide adequate facilities if you do not then people will go elsewhere I am 61 years old and I always need a toilet I am 69 years young with prostrate problems and need to go to the toilet quite often Toilets should always be available for everyone especially when having health issues.

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Appendix C – Letters of Support for Retaining Poppit

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